Webster's English Dictionary

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drill

Cross references:
  1. practice              
 
1. drill \'dril\ vb [D drillen; akin to OHG dra-en to turn] 1: to pierce or 
   bore with or as if with a drill  2a: to instruct thoroughly  2b: to impart 
   or communicate by repetition  2c: to train or exercise in military 
   evolutions and the use of weapons  1: to make a hole with a drill  2: to 
   engage in an exercise  3: to act like or have the effect of a drill  - 
   drill.er n
2. drill n 1: an instrument with an edged or pointed end for making holes 
   in hard subs tances by revolving or by a succession of blows; also : such 
   an instrument with the machine for operating it 2: the act or exercise of 
   training soldiers in military skill and disciplin e 3a: a physical or 
   mental exercise aimed at perfecting facility and skill es p. by regular 
   practice 3b: a formal exercise by a team of marchers  chiefly Brit  3c: the 
   approved or correct procedure for accomplishing something efficient ly 4: a 
   marine snail (Urosalpinx cinerea) destructive to oysters by bori ng through 
   their shells and feeding on the soft parts; broadly : any of several 
   mollusks related to the drill 5: a drilling sound 
3. drill n [prob. native name in West Africa] : a West African baboon 
   (Mandrillus leucophaeus) closely related to  the typical mandrills
4. drill n [perh. fr. drill (rill)] 1a: a shallow furrow or trench into 
   which seed is sown  1b: a row of seed sown in such a furrow  2: a planting 
   implement that makes holes or furrows, drops in the seed and  sometimes 
   fertilizer, and covers them with earth
5. drill vt 1: to sow (seeds) by dropping along a shallow furrow  2a: to 
   sow with seed or set with seedlings inserted in drills  2b: to distribute 
   seed or fertilizer in by means of a drill 
6. drill n [short for drilling] : a durable cotton fabric in twill weave